Santo-Pekoa Airport is located on the island of Espiritu Santo, approximately 4 km from the center of Luganville, the second-largest city in Vanuatu by population.
It is the access point to the largest island of the archipelago, site of one of the largest US military bases in the Pacific during World War II and today a destination for diving enthusiasts for the wreck of the SS President Coolidge and the crystal-clear waters of Champagne Beach.
How to get to Santo Pekoa International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to SON
Parking near Santo Pekoa International Airport
A modest parking area is available adjacent to the terminal.
How to get to Luganville from SON
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Santo Pekoa International Airport
Some local car rental companies operate at the airport, useful for exploring the island independently.
Hotels near Santo Pekoa International Airport
Luganville
10-15 minutes by taxi from Pekoa; the hotels in the area are also a few minutes on foot from the centre.
Best for: Those who want to stay on dry land, a few minutes from both the airport and Luganville's market and waterfront.
- Market, waterfront and shops of Luganville reachable on foot
- A convenient base for the dive sites of the SS President Coolidge wreck, among the most famous in the Pacific
- No private beach in town: for that you need to move outside Luganville
- Hotel choice limited to a handful of family-run properties
Recommended hotels
- Deco Stop Lodge On a hill on the outskirts of Luganville, 10 minutes on foot from the centre and close to the hospital; a pool with a wooden deck and a reference point for those diving on the Coolidge wreck. View availability
- Hotel Santo Vanuatu In the heart of Luganville since 1975, family-run, 10 minutes from the airport and a few steps from the market and the waterfront; a relaxed retro atmosphere. View availability
Aore Island
10 minutes by taxi from Pekoa to the Luganville wharf, then about 15 minutes by boat across the Segond Channel (2 km); the ferries for residents run a couple of times a day, the resorts organise their own transfers.
Best for: Those who want a private beach while staying a few minutes by boat from Luganville, accepting the ferry schedule.
- Private beach and snorkelling on the reef right in front of the bungalow
- An isolated atmosphere a few minutes by boat from the shops of Luganville
- Every trip toward Luganville requires the boat, you can't improvise on foot
- Some recent reviews mention catering services not always running and frequent wind on the coast
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The small terminal primarily handles inter-island flights to Port Vila and other islands, plus some regional connections.
It is good practice to arrive with a 1.5-hour margin for flights.
Map of Santo Pekoa International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What can you see near Santo-Pekoa Airport?
Luganville is the starting point for the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, one of the most famous dives in the world, and for the crystal-clear waters of Champagne Beach.
Q. How do you get to downtown Luganville from the airport?
The center is a few minutes away by taxi; agree on the fare before departing, since the meter isn't always used.
Q. Do you need a visa to visit Espiritu Santo?
No, the same entry rules apply as for all of Vanuatu: no visa required for tourist stays of up to 30 days for most nationalities.
Q. What role did Espiritu Santo play in World War II?
The island hosted one of the largest US military bases in the Pacific; the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, sunk in 1942, is today one of the main attractions for divers.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights